YTD Potato Volume Up On Lower Prices: U.S. and Regional Insights

Potato Retail pricing has been mostly deflationary through the first 16 weeks of 2013 with total US retail potato prices down -9.6%. That has reduced overall retail sales which are -6.3%. However, the lower prices have had a positive effect on pounds which are up +3.6% as consumers are returning to the category, in part, due to increased in-home dinners, but also the value proposition that potatoes represent.

Russet and white varieties saw the largest retail dollar declines, while yellow/gold and A/O (which is primarily specialty) saw dollar increases even with retail price decreases due to their overall volume increases.

YTD all the major categories are running plus volumes except the white segment.

The potato category performance varies considerably, both dollars and pounds by region.

The North East with a -3.3% dollar performance was the best of the eight regions, and the Western Region was the worst.

However, on a pound basis, the Great Lakes Region was the best, and California the worst performer.

Note that all regions had positive yellow dollar and pound performance

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Recent Comments

MJsays: "These recipes look great, but for the lazy person, I'm going to add my own. It is the stuffed baked potato.
Bake your potato until it is soft, using the oven or microwave.
Cut in half, and scoop out the middle and mash it. Add in about 1 teaspoon of prepared mustard and mash again. It should have a smoother texture. Stuff back into the potato shells. Sprinkle with paprika. If you are doing several, you may wish to re-heat. Voila. Totally simple. Now, I am going to experiment with adding nutritional yeast and soymilk, to see if it comes out a bit cheesy. So pleased to see these recipes."

PotatOHsays: "Susan: that's wonderful! Thank you for your insightful comment and we are so glad that you enjoyed our PotatOHs!"

Susan Hendersonsays: "I love your products. I am a Vegan and potatoes are a wonderful part of my diet. I also find that the growth and harvest of this healthy root crop is actually beneficial to the planet! I won a box of your potatoes last year and used them to the fullest. Thank you, Susan Henderson"

Dorian Shafersays: "I love potatoes & will never stop eating them. There great for lunch, i pop one in microwave. Baked are my ultimate favorite & yes i eat the skin. Red i don't peel for anything. There amazing by themselves. Potatoes are a great source of energy & great anytime !"